First Amendment Film Festival presents "The Front"

As part of Banned Books Week (September 30-October 6) the library will be hosting a First Amendment Film Festival. We will show four movies that deal with censorship and violation of First Amendment rights.

Tonight's movie will be "The Front." The film stars Woody Allen as Howard, a cashier and bookie approached by blacklisted television-writer Alfred to act as a "front," i.e., the alleged author of Alfred's works. The scam proves hugely successful. Soon Howard is fronting for several other banned writers, taking a cut from every sale to the networks, and basking in praise (and romantic attentions) for his prolific talent. It all unravels when congressional investigators dig into Howard's past for Communist ties and squeeze him to name others with supposed links to the Red Menace. Written by, directed by, and starring various talents blacklisted during the McCarthy-era witch hunts of the 1950s entertainment industry. Rated PG. (95 min.)